Right to Buy
The Right to Buy is a Government run scheme that allows some tenants to purchase the property that they rent
from the Council. For eligible tenants the price of the property will be offered at a price lower than the full market value.
Important
The procedure for tenants to apply to buy their property has been put “on hold” until after the proposed stock transfer
on 3rd November. After this date tenants should then apply to Three Oaks Homes.
Who has the Right to Buy?
You may have the right to buy if you are a secure tenant of Blaby District Council. You must have spent at least 2 years
as a tenant with your present landlord. However for new tenants who are housed after 18th January 2005 the qualifying time
has been extended to 5 years. You will only be able to purchase under the scheme if your house or flat is a separate home
and your only home. You may be able to exercise the right to buy jointly with members of your family who have lived with you
for the past 12 months, or with someone who is a joint tenant with you.
You cannot buy your home if a court makes a possession order which says that you must leave your home. Neither can you
buy your home if you are an un-discharged bankrupt, have a bankruptcy petition pending, or have made an arrangement with creditors
and you still owe them money. Over 60's bungalows and warden control properties are also not available to buy.
The Discount Rules
The right to buy scheme gives tenants a discount on the market value of their homes. The longer you have been a tenant,
the more discount you get, up to a maximum limit that varies depending on where you live.
The maximum discount available under the right to buy scheme for the East Midlands is £24,000.
Qualifying Period
Subject to the maximum limits, the amount of discount for which you are eligible depends on the time you have spent as
a public sector tenant.
Once you have been a tenant for at least two years, the discount available is 32% for houses and 44% for flats. If you
are buying a house you are then eligible for 1% more discount for each extra year up to a maximum limit of 60%. If you are
buying a flat, you are eligible for 2% more discount for each extra full year up to a maximum limit of 70%. Whatever percentage
you are eligible for, your discount cannot be greater then the maximum discount for the area in which you live.
The qualifying period for discounts can include time spent in different homes and with different landlords, and doesn’t
have to be continuous. You may also be able to count a period when your husband or wife was a public sector tenant or lived
in housing provided by the armed forces. If you lived with your parents after the age of 16 and you later became the tenant
of the same house or flat, you may be able to count that time too.
When buying jointly, if the other person has a longer qualifying period, then the higher rate of discount will apply.
How do I apply?
Start by asking the Council for the Right to Buy claim form (RTB1). You can also download the PDF form below.
Further information can be found on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website (ODPM)
This form is used to decide:
- whether you have the right to buy
- how much discount you will receive
The Council must send you a notice, RTB2, within 4 weeks of receiving your RTB1. This will state whether or not you
have right to buy your home.
If the Council agrees to sell your home to you, you will then be sent a separate offer notice called a section 125 notice.
For further information contact:
- Administration & Legal services on 0116 272 7678
Forms and booklets are available from this number (booklets available in a variety of languages).
